I just got my macbook air a week back and since then whenever i charge my device, i can feel some sort of electric senstation around it body, I am a bit concerned what is causing this and will it be safe to use this device for long term or not

Vaibhav98 said:

I just got my macbook air a week back and since then whenever i charge my device, i can feel some sort of electric senstation around it body, I am a bit concerned what is causing this and will it be safe to use this device for long term or not

That’s not normal. Have you tested connecting it to different wall outlets? If so, you may want to return it for a replacement.

If it feels a bit like vibration, especially when dragging a finger across the MacBook's body, this can happen if the laptop is not grounded. I used to have a grounded extension cord for one of the chargers I used with my previous work MacBook Pro, and got the sensation with the charger that didn't have. I don't have the extension cord for my current work MacBook, so I always get the sensation when charging.

The sensation is not dangerous, but if it bothers you check that your MacBook's charger supports it and purchase the Power Adapter Extension Cable from Apple. I believe they only sell grounded ones. Obviously the power outlet needs to be grounded, too.

I have had this for years with my iPhones and iPads. Never caused a problem except one time i ran my arm along a metal item and it felt prickly

I think its safe, i've not noticed it on my MBA (yet anyway, i tend not to use it when its charging) but an older laptop always had this and i used it for 8 years without issue!

Are you using it in a country with a 220-240v electric system? (eg UK) I've worked with dozens of mac laptops. Yes, many laptops with a metal chassis will give you a slight buzzing feeling if you run your finger along them while they are plugged in. It's much more common in countries with 220v electric systems than in countries in 110v electric systems.

In most cases it's nothing to worry about, though I can understand it feels concerning.

The Macbook power adaptor has no earth connection but Apple have designed it to meet all relevant rules. If you are concerned, don't take my word for it. Talk to a qualified electrician or ring Apple.

It's normal, I've had two MacBooks and an iPad do this when connected to an ungrounded outlet.

RedTomato said:

The Macbook power adaptor has no earth connection but Apple have designed it to meet all relevant rules.

Not out of the box, you need something like this (which use to be included in the old days):

Nothing dangerous. If possile put the mains plug upside down in the socket. Earthing the Mac solves the problem anyway. Or just run it on batttery power.

Puonti said:

If it feels a bit like vibration, especially when dragging a finger across the MacBook's body, this can happen if the laptop is not grounded. I used to have a grounded extension cord for one of the chargers I used with my previous work MacBook Pro, and got the sensation with the charger that didn't have. I don't have the extension cord for my current work MacBook, so I always get the sensation when charging.

The sensation is not dangerous, but if it bothers you check that your MacBook's charger supports it and purchase the Power Adapter Extension Cable from Apple. I believe they only sell grounded ones. Obviously the power outlet needs to be grounded, too.

MacBook Pro vibrating when charging - Apple Community

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stop spreading misinformation!
the Apple power adaptor only has 2 pins, so a 3 pin extension cord does nothing

packeteer said:

stop spreading misinformation!
the Apple power adaptor only has 2 pins, so a 3 pin extension cord does nothing

I always wondered why the brick has two pins but the longer cord has 3. I haven't found a spare to dissect.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MX0J2AM/A/96w-usb-c-power-adapter

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK122LL/A/power-adapter-extension-cable

packeteer said:

stop spreading misinformation!
the Apple power adaptor only has 2 pins, so a 3 pin extension cord does nothing

That is not true. You are spreading misinformation now. The round metal to guide the adapter into place is also a conductor.

Significant1 said:

That is not true. You are spreading misinformation now. The round metal to guide the adapter into place is also a conductor.

It terminates into an ungrounded TWO PIN socket that plugs into the ungrounded TWO PIN input in the mains adaptor lol

I use my M1 MBA in various locations all around Queensland, and whenever the power supply isn't properly grounded (often in older homes) I get this buzzing electric shock sensation from touching the body of my MBA. In a properly grounded power point there is no problem. I have found that the electric shock feeling I get has also played up with Touch ID, causing it to only work intermittently. I have reported this to Apple engineering - we were troubleshooting why my Touch ID wasn't working recently and discovered this seemed to be the cause of the problem. So far I haven't found any other dramas with my MBA other than the shocking experience, but just hope the homes don't have a major electrical problem that will burn them down.

MajorFubar said:

It terminates into an ungrounded TWO PIN socket that plugs into the ungrounded TWO PIN input in the mains adaptor lol

Please count again! or maybe you don't have a cable.

Significant1 said:

Please count again! or maybe you don't have a cable.
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School day for me, all these years I admit I never knew the latching pin also acted as a ground pin...
...or does it? Have you ever checked continuity between the latching pin and the earth pin on the plug?
You'd be right that I no longer have one to check.

MajorFubar said:

School day for me, all these years I admit I never knew the latching pin also acted as a ground pin...
...or does it? Have you ever checked continuity between the latching pin and the earth pin on the plug?
You'd be right that I no longer have one to check.

You live and learn. 👍

Just found my multimeter and did a check. There really is continuity, both through the extension cable and through the power-brick.

That I don't have many grounded wall-plugs at home, if any, is another matter. But years ago I worked in a lab, where ground mattered.

Significant1 said:

That I don't have many grounded wall-plugs at home, if any, is another matter. But years ago I worked in a lab, where ground mattered.

Blows our mind in the UK, that. Literally all our wall outlets have to be grounded by law.

Experienced this many times. Still alive.

packeteer said:

stop spreading misinformation!
the Apple power adaptor only has 2 pins, so a 3 pin extension cord does nothing

Sure it does. Did you check?

As a Mac tech, I have experienced this many dozens, perhaps hundreds of times. Never a safety issue.

I don't know the cause. I often wondered if it simply static, or even something non-electrical, like the sharp leading edge tickling the skin in just the right way that it feels like a gentle shock. Not trying to spread fake news, just don't know what it is, but I don't believe it is a safety issue.

There are over 2K Macs where I work, and roughly half are MBPs. Never any issues, nobody ever electrocuted in the last 10+ years.

Vaibhav98 said:

I just got my macbook air a week back and since then whenever i charge my device, i can feel some sort of electric senstation around it body, I am a bit concerned what is causing this and will it be safe to use this device for long term or not

This is common in Mac notebooks since they don’t use grounded connections. It should be harmless.

MajorFubar said:

Blows our mind in the UK, that. Literally all our wall outlets have to be grounded by law.

UK outlets are the safest in the world, as they require grounding and a circuit breaker for each plug. The downside is that they are also the bulkiest.

Not usually but on a couch with Polyester blankets, only in winter with dry heat, get a major static zap. Every single time initially sitting down and it's not silent either. Shocking.

Significant1 said:

Please count again! or maybe you don't have a cable.
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fwiw, I have 2x Apple plugs, 1x from Australia and 1x from USA. Neither of them have metal rails on the inside like the one above